Method of embalming



'Dec. 16,- 1941;

' I Filed April 10', 1940 H..s. DAY 2,266,173 METHOD OF EMBALMING Ibalming.

Patented Dec. 16, 1941 .1 UNITED' STATES PATENT @FFl-"(I 1 51 METHOD OF.Harry .S. Dav, Youngstown, Ohio Application A ril 10, 1940, #SeriallNn.:szapoi 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of em- The principal object of thisinvention is the provision of a method of purging a body of blood andeffecting an efficient capillary wash and the subsequent adequateembalming with suitable embalming fluid.

A further objectof the invention is the -provision of a method ofobtaining a better cosmetic efiect on a body through the more adequatepurging of the blood from the capillaries and the replacement thereofwith a suitable embalming fluid.

A still further objectof the invention is the provision of a method ofembalming wherein the tissues of the body maybe built up evenly andperfectly to overcome the wasting effects of illness through theapplication of a partial vacuum which will appear as the descriptionproceeds the invention resides in the methods and mode of procedure andin the details thereof hereinafter described and claimed, it beingunderstood that changes in the precise methods and procedure hereindisclosed can be made within the scope of the appended claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

Apparatus used in applying the method of embalming hereinafter describedand claimed is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein thefigure is a perspective view of a suitable pressurabl'e operatingchamber showing various details of construction and the severalcooperative parts attached thereto.

By referring to the drawing it will be seen that a suitable operatingchamber of a size suific'ient to receive a body has been shown. Theoperating chamber, as indicated by the numeral 10 in the drawing, isshown positioned on'legs II for the suitable elevation of the same,placing it at a convenient height for the operator. A broad peripheralflange I2 is formed about the upper edge of the operating chamber I!)which is itself box like in shape. This broad peripheral flange l2carries a suitable rubber gasket l3 adapted to form an air tight jointwhen a loosely hinged lid portion 14 is closed thereupon and a pluralityof clamps [5 moved into engagement with the upper surface or the lid Mand clamped in position so as to firmly afiix the lid 14 to'theoperating chamber ill in an 'air tightamanner. By referring to the lid Mit will be seen that a plurality of electric lights 3 have beenpositioned on the interior surface thereof so a body positioned withinthe operating chamber may be suitably illuminated thereby. In order thatthe operator may inspect the body from time to time, a pair of suitablepressure withstanding windows It are positioned within the lid M. Thelid I4 is loosely ailixed "to the operating chamber 10 by means of sliphinges It so that they will not interfere withthe tightening action ofthe clamps t5 when the lid :is in place.

By referring to the structure shown at the right end of the operatingchamber I!) it will be seen that :a, rpair .of non-collapsible tubes #8terminate outside of'zth'e operating chamber H] and lead into theinterior thereof. The pair of non-collapsible-tubes tl18 are provided toinsure a communication .channei of adequate capacity. A housing isencloses :an electric motor and 'a suitable air pumpcarries on aconveniently shaped surface It thereof ;a pair of gaugeslzl which :areadapted to register vacuum' or air pressure the operating chamber. Alever 22 controls the action of the :air pump so that it either exhauststhe air "from the operating chamber and creates a partial vacuum thereinor builds up the pressure in the operating chamber in any desireddegree. It is obvious that tanks may be incorporated wherein reserve airpressure -or vacuum may be built up so that the operator med notuyaitfor the air pump toestablish same. Gontrolsarealso provided for varyingthe action :of the air pump and releasing the :pressure as desiredtogether with controls for an exhaust fan which may be connected to theoperating chamber .l'll if desirable. Having thus shown and describedsuitable apparatus ior accomplishing anembalming process under themethods herein claimed, the following description of the embalmingmethod is given.

It is well that embalming comprises several different although alliedoperations one of the first of which is the operation wherein the bloodin the veins and capillaries in the body'is purged from the body. It isessential that all the blood be purged from the body in that anyparticles remaining may adversely. affeet the preservation of the bodyby interfering with the action of the embalming fluid. In order toaccomplish this with a minimum of effort and without the necessity ofmanually massaging the body tissues, which incidentally often results inthe rupture of the capillaries near the surface of the skin and causes adiscoloration which is objectionable, the body may be convenientlyplaced in the operating chamber and suitable incisions made to enablethe non-collapsible tubes I8 to be placed in operative locations'in thedeeper vessels of the body such as are found in the sacro-iliac axis orthereabout. The lid l4 of the operating chamber is then closed and themechanism attached thereto operated until a suitable air pressure hasbeen built up within the operating chamber. The air pressure willeffectively collapse the tissues and capillaries'and the veins andarteries and drive the blood therefrom into the deeper vessels of thebody from other treatment of the area in order to preserve an attractivecosmetic effect. The herein described method also permits the accurateweighing of the body fluids. For example, the amount of blood firstpurged from the body may be whence it drains from the body and operatingchamber through the tubes l8.

The second desirable operation in embalming is'the operation of washingthe capillaries so as to dissolve particles of blood remaining thereinso that these particles may be efiectively removed from the body. Thisis accomplished by reversing the action of the air pump. associated withthe operating chamber Ill and establish a partial vacuum within the saidchamber. At the same time the operator supplies the tubes [8 with asuitable capillary washing fluid under slight pressure if necessary. Dueto the partial vacuum existing about the body the natural tendency ofthe capillary washing fluid is to penetrate the veins and arteriesand-capillaries of the body from which it may be readily purged lbyagain reversing the action of the air pump and establishing pressurewithin the air chamber H] which will cause the capillary washing fluidto drain from the body and the chamber through the tubes I8. This maybe.repeated'until the operator is satisfied through his-visual inspectionthrough the window 16 and through his inspection of the capillary washthat the blood particles have been completely dissolved and removed fromthe body. When this has been accomplished all of the capillary washingfluid is of course purged from the body by the air pressure means andthe operation of embalming the: body may then take place. The operationof embalming the body comprises. the-supplying of the tubes l8 with asuitableembalming fluid and a partial vacuum being caused to exist aboutthe body. The natural tendency of the embalming fluid is to penetratethe veins and arteries and capillaries of the body. The operatingchamber thus assists the operator in that the embalming fluid readilyreaches all of theiveins and arteries and all of the capillaries of thebody thus insuring adequate embalming action. In fact, it seems logicalthat an embalming solution of formaldehyde somewhat'weaker than thecustomary 5% solution may be employed with-more satisfactory results dueto the complete saturation of the capillaries, tissues and veins of thebody through the above described process.- I

It is obvious that embalming according to I the herein described methodresults in a better cosmetic effect in that the'capillaries arethemselves completely purged of blood and blood particles and refilledwith suitable embalming fluid. Further, the tissues of the body whichweighed and subsequent weighing of the capillary wash directed into thebody as compared to the weight of the same upon its removal therefromwill result in the determining of the complete Weight of the bodyfluids. This is important in that it enables the operator :to replacethese fluids accurately as to amount and proportion of the preservingfluid necessary.

What I claim is:

1. The method of embalming comprising placing a body in a chamberadapted to besealed, connecting the deeper or larger arteries and veinsof the body with conduits for drainage to the exterior of the chamber,sealing the chamber, subjecting the body to a uniform external pressureto cause blood in the vascular systemto be forced out of the body andthrough said conduits, thereafter, when sufliciently drained and whilestill under pressure, connecting both arteries and veins to a liquidsupply source, and then imposing a negative pressure upon the interiorof the chamber and consequently the exterior of the enclosed body, tocause the liquid to be drawn into the vascular system and to bethoroughly diifused throughout the body.

2. The method of embalming wherein the draining of a bodycomprisesplacing the body in a chamber adapted to be sealed, connecting thedeeper or larger arteries and veins of the body with conduits fordrainage to the exterior of the chamber, sealing the chamber, subjectingthe body to alternate positive and negative external pressures to causethe blood in the vascular system to be forced out of the body andthrough the said conduits. Q

3. The method of embalming comprising placing a body in a chamberadapted tobe sealed, connecting the deeper or larger arteries and veinsof the 'body with conduits for drainage to the exterior of the chamber,-sealing the chamber, subjecting the body to alternate positive andnegative pressures to cause the blood in the vascular system to beforced out of the body and through the said conduits, thereafter, whensufliciently drained and while still under pressure, connecting botharteries and veins to a liquid supply source and then imposing anegative pressure upon the interior of the-chamber and consequently theexterior of the enclosed body, to cause the liquid to be drawn into:thevascular system and to be thoroughly diffused throughout the body.

'HARRY -S. DAY.

